Display easel



Um. 21, 1969 E. M. KETTERER 3,47

DISPLAY EASE-L Filed Nov. 14, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ar Edward M. Kefierer Oct. 21, 1969 s. M. KETTERER DISPLAY EASEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 196'? INVENTOR, E-Idwurd M. Kerterer ATTORNEYS 3,473,777 DISPLAY EASEL Edward M. Ketterer, (Iheektowaga, N.Y., assignor to The Colad Company, Inc. Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 682,808 int. (3!. A47b 97/04; C09f 1/12; A47g 1/16 US. Cl. 248-459 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The easel is an improvement on that of my patent directed to a body of paper sheet stock foldable into fiat form and having pocketed panel parts that can be pulled out to form a pyramidal strut structure. This improved easel has a more stable three walled pyramidal strut structure, which, with the main front panel, has ground contact in the form of an isosceles trapezoid, rather than a triangle. A number of variations of the tabs and slits or niches are also provided for releasably latching the pyramidal strut structure in operative position.

1n the drawings, FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front or obverse side of a die-cut paper blank showing the score lines along which the blank is to be folded and having a portion of its front face covered with a transparent lamina. In this figure is also shown, in broken lines, the manner in which the center of the rectangular front panel can be cut out to form a frame. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the easel set up. FIG. 3 is a diminutive plan view of the reverse side of the blank shown in FIG. 1 and showing the areas to which glue is applied and also showing the bottom flap of the rectangular front panel folded up. FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the first back panel folded over. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the second back panel folded over and adhered to the first back panel. FIG. 6. is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the top flap of the rectangular front panel folded down and adhesively united to the tops of the first and second back panels and also showing the three isosceles triangular panels of the second back panel drawn into pyramidal form with the flap of one of these isosceles triangular panels slid under the first back panel to hold these three isosceles triangular panels in pyramidal relation with the rectangular front panel to provide an easel support for the latter. FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the rear part of the pyramid formed by the three isosceles triangular panels pushed forwardly toward the rectangular front panel to slide two of the isosceles triangular panels between the rectangular front panel and first back panel into coplanar relation with the other parts of the second back panel. FIG. 8 is an enlarged horizontal sectiOn taken generally on line 88, FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an enlarged horizontal section taken generally on line 99, FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified form of slit for latching the pyramid support in operative position. FIG. 11 is a horizontal section taken generally on line 11--1l, FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 10 and showing a further modified form of notch for latching the pyramid support in operative position. FIG. 13 is a horizontal section taken generally on line 1313, FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 10 and 12 and showing a further modified form of tab and notch for latching the pyramid support in operative position. FIG. 15 is a horizontal section taken generally on line 1515, FIG. 14.

In all forms of the display easel, it is shown as made from a single sheet or body 10 of paper or cardboard which is diecut to form the blank illustrated in FIG. 1

nited States Patent 0 ice and is also provided with score lines as hereinafter described to facilitate folding the blank into the form of an easel which, when completed, can be set up or collapsed into the form of a single fiat panel as many times as may be desired. This blank can be of any sheet material capable of being scored, diecut, folded and either glued or stitched in certain areas as hereinafter described. The blank can be made of stiff paper, cardboard, fiber board, fiber stock, manilas and jutes with any surface finishes or printing. It can be made of any semistitf flexible sheet plastics or leathers and is shown as being made of a stiff paper having a face coating or lamina 11 applied to the obverse face 12 of its upright rectangular panel 13, the reverse face of which is indicated at 14. The face coating or lamina 11 preferably extends around the fold lines at the four sides of the rectangular panel 13 to protect the edges at these fold lines.

The upright rectangular front panel 13 has a bottom edge 15, designed in the claims as a first bottom edge, formed by a score line connecting a bottom flap 16 to the rectangular panel 13, the face coating or lamina 11 extending over this bottom flap. In the folded condition of the easel, this bottom fiap 16 is folded upwardly against the reverse face 14 of the upright rectangular panel 13. The top edge 17 is in the form of a score line connecting a top fiap 18 with the upright rectangular panel 13, the face coating or lamina 11 also extending over this top flap. The rear face of this top flap 18 is shown as provided with a layer of glue 19 and in the folded condition of the easel this top flap is folded down behind and adhered to two back panels, as hereinafter described.

One upright edge 20 of the upright rectangular panel 13 is in the form of a fold line connecting a first back panel 21 thereto, this fold line or edge 20 being designated in the claims as a first fold line. This first back panel 21 is formed to provide a second bottom edge 22 which, when the easel is folded, extends along the bottom 15 of the upright rectangular panel 13 as best shown in FIG. 4. This first back panel 21 also has a first outer edge 23 extending upwardly from the outer end of the first bottom edge 22 at an obtuse included angle thereto, as best shown in FIG. 1. This first back panel 21 also has a tab 24 positioned above the upper end of the first outer edge 23 and projecting horizontally outwardly in the plane of the first back panel 21 as best shown in FIG. 1.

A second back panel, indicated generally at 25, is connected to the other upright edge of the rectangular front panel 13 by a second fold line 26. The face coating or lamina 11 also preferably extends around this second fold line 26 onto the second back panel and in the folded position of the easel the entire second back panel 25 is folded back of the rectangular front panel 13.

This second back panel 25 includes a body part 27 which is formed to provide a third bottom edge 28 extending from the bottom of the second fold line 26, and, in the folded condition of the ease], this third bottom edge 28 extends along the bottom 15 of the upright rectangular panel 13. This second back panel 25 also includes a second outer edge 29 extending lengthwise of the first and second fold lines 20 and 26 along the upper part of the body part 27.

The second back panel 25 also includes a first isosceles triangular panel 30 of greater height than Width and having one long edge connected to the body part 27 by a third fold line 31 extending upwardly from the outer end of the third bottom edge 28 in upwardly diverging relation to the second fold line 26 and toward the bottom of the second outer edge 29. The base edge 32 extends from the bottom of the body part 27, preferably in line with its bottom edge 28, so that in the folded condition of the easel this bottom edge 32 also extends along the bottom 15 of the rectangular panel 13.

An important feature of the invention is that the second panel 25 also includes a second narrow isosceles triangular panel 35 of much greater height than width and having one long edge connected to the other long edge of the first isosceles triangular panel 39 by a fourth fold line 36 extending upwardly from the outer end of the fourth bottom edge 32 in upwardly converging relation to the second fold line 26 and toward the bottom of the second outer edge 29. The fifth base edge 38 extends from the bottom of the first isosceles triangular panel 30, so that in the folded condition of easel this bottom edge 38 also extends along the bottom of the front rectangular panel 13.

The second back panel also includes a truncated isosceles triangular panel 40 generally of the same size and form as the first isosceles triangular panel with one long edge connected to the other long edge of the second narrow isosceles triangular panel by a fifth fold line 41. The bottom triangle edge of this panel is indicated at 42. The edge 43 opposite this fifth fold line 41 ex- The second back panel 25 also includes a wing or flap 45 connected by a sixth fold line 46 to the triangle edge of the truncated isosceles triangular panel opposite to its said fifth fold line 41. Preferably this wing or flap is of obtuse triangular form with its apex 48 at the apexes 50, 51 and 52 of the first, second and truncated isosceles triangular panels 30, 35 and 40, respectively, and the base 53, 54 of the obtuse triangular wing or flap 45 preferably forms a continuation of the edge 43 of the truncated isosceles triangle 40. The outer long edge of the obtuse triangular wing or flap 45 is indicated at 55.

A layer 56 of glue is along the second outer edge 29 of the body part 27 of the second back panel 25 on the side of the latter which comes in contact with the tab 24 of the first back panel 21.

If it is desired to use the easel as a picture frame, the upright rectangular panel 13 can be cut out, as indicated by the dot-dash line 58, to form such a frame, the clear plastic lamina 11 being left intact to form a glazing for the picture frame.

Also the outer end of the sixth fold line 46 is slit inwardly from the juncture of the edges 43, 53 of the truncated triangular isosceles panel 40 and the wing or flap 45, as indicated at 60.

In the manufacture of the easel, the bottom flap 16 is first folded up on its crease line to form the first bottom edge 15 of the easel, this being illustrated in FIG. 3. The first back panel 21 is then folded back along the first fold line 20, as illustrated in FIG. 4, against the back face 14 of the upright rectangular panel 13. The second back panel 25 is then folded back along the second fold line 26, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and its glue layer 56 is adhered to the tab 24 of the first back panel 21. The top flap 18 is then folded down along its line 17 and its layer 19 of glue adhered to the tops of the first and second back panels 21 and 25, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Also the bottom joined parts of the three isosceles triangular panels 30, 35 and 40 are now drawn back, so as to bring these panels into pyramidal form, until the outer edge lines of the wing or flap 45 are in register with the first outer edge 23 of the first back panel 21. This wing or flap 45 is then flattened against the back face 14 of the upright rectangular panel 13 and the first outer edge 23 of the first back panel 21 lifted and this wing or flap 45 slid under this edge 23 behind the first back panel 21. The joined bottom parts of the three isosceles triangular panels 30, 35 and 40 are now pressed toward the upright rectangular panel 13, this operating to flatten these isosceles triangular panels into a common plane with their wing or flap 45, these parts folding against the reverse face 14 of the upright rectangular panel 13 with the truncated isosceles triangular panels 40 and 45 sliding under the first back panel 21 for this purpose.

The easel is now folded or collapsed, for shipping or storage, into the form of a flat panel. To render it uperative as an easel, the user pulls out the bottom con nected parts of the two isosceles triangular panels 31} and 35 to draw them and the truncated isosceles triangular panel 40 into pyramidal relation to the upright rectangular panel 13 so as to provide an easel supported on the first bottom edge 15 of the upright rectangular panel 13 and the bottom edges 32, 38 and 42 of the three isosceles triangular panels 30, 35 and 40 respectively. The bottom edge 38 of the back of this pyramid is parallel with the bottom edge 15 of the front of this pyramid to provide a stable support against tipping sidewise. Also these parallel rear and front pyramid edges 38, 15 permits the set-up easel to be placed closer to a back wall of the building or counter, as compared with the pointed rear end of the pyramidal support illustrated in my said prior patent.

A further feature of the invention resides in the ability to releasably latch the easel in its set-up condition. The slit 60 is provided for this purpose, this slit extending along the sixth fold line 46 a short distance from the juncture of the side edges 43 and 53 of the truncated isosceles triangular panel 40 and the Wing 45. In the setup condition of the easel as shown in FIG. 2 this slit 60 comes into register with the edge 23 of the first back panel 21. Accordingly by bending the paper of the truncated isosceles triangular panel 41) slightly outwardly after the easel has been set up, the slit 61 is caused to embrace the opposite sides of the first back panel 21 along its edge 23 so as to latch the easel in its set-up condition.

Another form of latching means is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in which a slit 61 is provided in the first back panel 21 to extend inwardly from its edge 23 generally parallel with the top and bottom edges 17, 15 of the rectangular front panel 13. This slit is positioned so that when the easel is set-up, the edge 53 of the Wing or flap 45 can be drawn into this slit 61 so that the lower part of this wing or flap 45 is latched into this slit.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS, 12 and 13, a tab 62 is provided to project from the edge 23 of the first back panel 21, and the bottom of the Wing 45 is provided with a triangular notch 63, one edge of which notch is along the sixth fold line 46. When the easel is brought to its fully set-up position, the tab 62 comes into line with the edge of the notch 63 along the sixth fold line 46 so as to latch the easel in its erect position.

With the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 a tab 64 is provided to project from the edge 23 and the truncated isosceles triangular panel 40 is provided along the central part of its sixth fold line 46 with a D-shaped notch positioned to receive this tab 64 when the easel is set up.

Since in other respects the forms of the invention shown in FIGS. 10-15 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1-7, the same reference numerals have been employed for the same parts.

I claim:

1. A display easel capable of being manually folded and unfolded, compirsing, in its folded state,

(A) a body (10) of foldable sleet material folded to provide (a) an upright rectangular panel (13) with its bottom forming a first bottom edge (15) and the rectangular panel (13) being adapted to form the upright front face of the easel,

(b) a first back panel (21) connected to one upright edge of said rectangular panel (13) by a first fold line (20) and folded back against the reverse face (14) of said rectangular panel (13) and being formed to provide (1) a second bottom edge (22) extending from the bottom of said first fold line along the bottom (15) of said rectangular panel (13),

(2) a first outer edge (23) extending upwardly from the outer end of said second bottom edge (22) at an obtuse included angle thereto, and

(3) having a top part (24) positioned above the upper end of said second outer edge (c) a second back panel (25) connected to the other upright edge of said rectangular panel (13) by a second fold line (26) and arranged against the reverse face (14) of said rectangular panel (13) and having (1) a body part (27) arranged against the reverse face (14) of said rectangular panel (13) and being formed to provide (i) a third bottom edge (28) extending from the bottom of said second fold line (26) along the bottom (15) of said rectangular panel (13), and

(2) a first isosceles triangular panel (30) of greater height than width arranged against the reverse side (14) of said rectangular panel (13) and having (i) one longer edge connected to said body part (27) by a third fold line (31) extending upwardly from the outer end of said third bottom edge (28) in upwardly diverging relation to said second fold line (26) and (ii) its base edge forming a fourth bottom edge (32) extending from the bottom of said body part (27 along the bottom of said rectangular panel wherein the invention comprises (3) a second isosceles triangular panel (35) also arranged against the reverse face (14) of said rectangular panel (13) with (i) one longer edge connected to the other longer edge of said first isosceles triangular panel (30) by a fourth fold line (36) and (ii) its base edge forming a fifth bottom edge (38) extending from the bottom of said first isosceles triangular panel (31)) along the bottom (15) of said rectangular panel (13),

(4) a third isosceles triangular panel (40) also arranged against the reverse face (14) of said rectangular panel (13) with (i) one longer edge connected to the longer edge of said second isosceles triangular panel (35) by a fifth fold line (41), and

(5) a wing (45) arranged against the reverse face (14) of said rectangular panel (13) and (i) connected by a sixth fold line (46) to the edge of said third isosceles triangular panel (40) opposite its said fifth fold line (41), and ((1) means (56) uniting said top part (24) of said first back panel (21) to the body part (27 of said second back panel (25),

(B) whereby upon pulling the bottom of said first isosceles triangular panel (30) at its side remote from its said third fold line (31) rearwardly away from said rectangular panel 13), it

(a) draws all three of said isosceles triangular panels (30, 35, 40) into the form of a pyramid the front side of which is formed by said rectangular panel (13) and the rear side of which is formed by said second isosceles triangular panel (35) with its bottom edge (38) generally parallel with and spaced rearwardly from said first bottom edge 15) of said rectangular panel (13), and

draws said wing (45) so that said sixth hinge line (46) is brought into coincidence with said first outer edge (23) to maintain said pyramid and (C) upon pushing the rear part of the base of said pyramid toward said rectangular panel (13), said second (35) and third (40) isosceles triangular panels slide between said rectangular panel 13) and first back panel (21) into coplanar relation with said body part (27) and first isosceles panel (30) of said second back panel (25).

2. A display easel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third isosceles triangular panel (40) is of truncated form with one edge (43) arranged generally parallel with said first and second fold lines (20, 26), thereby to reduce the corresponding dimension of said sheet to save material.

3. A display easel as set forth in claim 1 wherein in the unfolded set-up condition of the easel, said first outer edge (23) extends along said sixth fold line (46) and are jointly formed to provide a slot in one receiving a portion of the other to latch the easel in such setup condition.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 9/1963 France. 2/1918 Great Britain.

U.S. CL. X.R.

PO-105D Patent No. 3 ,473 ,777

Inventofls) Dated October 21, 1969 Edward M. Ketterer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4 line 64, change sleet" to -sheet. Column 5 line 56, before "longer" insert -other.

Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, I

Attesting Officer swan FEB 1 71970 WILLIAM E. SGH YLER, JR. commissioner of Patents 

